Experience the best New York vacation

From Broadway shows to Central Park, and Little Italy to the Empire State Building, the Big Apple is a city with so much energy it couldn't sleep if it tried. As the cosmopolitan capital of business and culture, New York City offers a dizzying array of restaurants, shopping, theater, museums, art galleries and more.

Shop your way from SoHo to Fifth Avenue, and dedicate afternoons to the Brooklyn Bridge and MoMA. Let Orbitz help you plan your New York City vacation with the best time to go, top attractions and insider gems, including where to shop and dine like a true Gothamist.

New York City is abuzz year-round, meaning the best time to go on a New York City vacation is up to you. If weather is a factor, winters are cold – but it's the best time to see the famous Christmas tree lighting and ice skate in Rockefeller Center. New Years Eve in Times Square is infamous, so plan well in advance if you plan to brave the celebration.

Fall is spectacular, especially near Central Park when colors and cutting-edge fashions peak. Summers are hot and crowded, especially during Yankees and Mets games. But if cheap rates and fewer crowds are a priority, visit between January (after New Year) and early April.

Cloisters Museum

This uptown beauty is a real gem on the northern tip of Manhattan, plus it's included with admission to The Met. See medieval European works dating back to the 9th century, and stunning views of the Hudson River in the gardens.

Pearl River Mart (SoHo)

Shop like a real New Yorker at this funky Chinese market. You'll find everything from silk robes and gongs to hand-painted China dolls and Kung-Fu shoes.

Free tours of the Lower East Side

The Lower East Side Business Improvement District offers free tours through Manhattan's historic Lower East Side. Meet in front of Katz's Deli (corner of East Houston and Ludlow Street) at 11 a.m. on any Sunday from April to November.

subMercer Bar

Write this down: Pass the Mercer hotel, look for a little entryway marked 147 ½. Take the industrial elevator down to the basement. Pass several boxes, and step through the unmarked red door into a series of 3 brick rooms. Try to get a seat in the back – maybe even next to Gisele Bundchen, Marisa Tomei or Leonardo DiCaprio.

Waverly Inn

This Gotham hangout is so hip they don't have a phone, and only take reservations in person two days in advance. A favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert DeNiro, make sure to get a table in the main dining room … not in the glass conservatory dubbed "Siberia."

New York Vacation Packages

Sleek, 4 Star Urban resort, minutes from Times Square with complimentary spa access and WiFi. Like New York City itself, THE OUT NYC is defined by limitless possibilities. Discover your home away from home in one of the hotel's 101 contemporary guest rooms and gain access... More

Radiating history from its walls, the Wellington Hotel New York?built in 1901?stands apart from the fast pace of modern city life surrounding it. The plush lobby is decked out in rich tones and intricate murals, while focal chandeliers give the interiors a classical... More

The sleek, modern facade of this 44-story building makes it a notable Times Square attraction, and many of its 460 rooms look out over vibrant Times Square, the New York City skyline and the Hudson River. Visit Pinnacle Bar in the lobby for coffee, cocktails and other... More

From serving warm chocolate chip cookies at the check-in counter to stocking guest rooms with exclusive Citron skin-care products, the DoubleTree Times Square shows off its Hilton Worldwide pedigree. The coffee kiosk downstairs provides that much-needed dose of morning... More

Shaping the future of Hospitality in the spirit of the past, the City Club Hotel combines the scale and tradition of a private club with the first rate services and amenities of a modern luxury hotel. Located near the Theater District on vibrant West 44th Street between... More

Free breakfast, free Wi-Fi in Times SquareWhen it comes to keeping travelers fueled for their New York stays, this hotel has it covered, with free breakfast daily, free apples and cookies and free 24-hour coffee/tea service. Guests also can enjoy free in-room Wi-Fi and... More

Amenities-packed Midtown hotel in Times Square, Theater DistrictThe Hilton Garden Inn Times Square is packed with amenities. Travelers can dine at the on-site French bistro, take in sunset views at the rooftop lounge, and pick up last-minute necessities at the 24-hour... More

Built in 1931, Hotel Edison is a prime example of Art Deco at its finest. Curved edges clash with bold lines, resulting in the hotels eye-catching exterior, which gleams proudly in the heart of Midtown. It doesn't just stop there, though. The Edison's interior is elegant... More

Henry Roger Wolcott hired John H. Duncan, the same designer who built Grant's Tomb, to build the Wolcott Hotel New York in 1904. The Erlich family purchased the hotel in 1975 and they have been dedicated to its meticulous restoration ever since. Adventurous travelers... More

The hip, affordable and trendy Pod Hotel offers convenient and personalized accommodations for the stylish and spend thrifty traveler. The Pod 51 Hotel, is the original Pod located in the heart of Manhattans Midtown East. Pod Hotels are New Yorks number one choice to... More

* Prices reflect the lowest "base rate" found over the next 30 days. Rates are subject to change and may not include taxes and fees, hotel service charges, extra person charges, or incidentals, such as room service. All rates are displayed in USD unless otherwise noted. Converted rates are provided for your convenience. They are based on today's exchange rate, but the hotel will charge you in the local currency.

Promo Code Terms and Conditions

150VACA Book a qualifying 4-night flight + hotel vacation package between January 1, 2014 12:00AM CST and March 31, 2015 11:59PM CST, for $1000 or more for travel between January 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 via Orbitz and instantly receive $150 off the hotel portion of your booking through the use of the promotion code. Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per booking. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Promotion codes cannot be resold. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. Promo code not valid for Las Vegas, NV bookings.

Broadway Shows

See Gotham's greatest dramatic, comedic and musical theater every night of the week (along with matinees on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays). Add a jaw-dropping stroll through nearby Times Square.

Empire State Building

Assuming King Kong is elsewhere, soar up this 102-story building which is the very definition of a skyscraper. A high-speed elevator whisks you to the 86th Floor Observatory, but if you're really not afraid of heights -- spend a few extra bucks for the views from the 102nd Floor Observatory.

Times Square

From Broadway theatres and glowing billboards to street vendors and the Naked Cowboy, even the fussiest traveler gets giddy here. Up your street cred with lunch at a classic NY deli nearby.

Brooklyn Bridge

A NYC icon, film and TV star, the Brooklyn Bridge bears the stampede of hundreds of thousands of vehicles and pedestrians each day. Walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn, and spend the afternoon wandering through trendy Park Slope.

Statue of Liberty

This French beauty has been welcoming immigrants (and locals) into New York Harbor since 1886. While you can see her from land (great views in Battery Park), get up-close with a ferry ride to Liberty Island.

Bronx Zoo

See lions, zebras, crocodiles, pygmy marmosets and 400-some other animals in this 265-acre zoo -- the biggest urban wildlife preserve in the world. Check out the daily feeding at World of Birds, and watch the Magellanic penguins bob for fish.

Central Park

At nearly 850 acres, this famous green space is home to an ice skating rink, a zoo and carousel, even a castle. Located in the heart of Manhattan, slip away from the city's bustle with walking trails, thousands of trees, and the Great Lawn where you can relax or take in a free show.

Radio City Music Hall

Home to the world-famous Rockettes, this entertainment venue also hosts the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. No time to see a show? Take the Radio City Stage Door Tour for a one-hour peek behind the scenes.

Ellis Island

Between 1892 and 1954, more than 12 million immigrants entered the United States here. Discover their history in the Ellis Island Immigration Museum, and add a name to the Wall of Honor.

Museums

Far too many to name, these top the must-see list: The Met (with 2 million works, at least tackle Ancient Egypt and European masters), MoMA (Western masterpieces from paintings to films, famous store), and the American Museum of Natural History (a full-size Blue Whale model, impressive dioramas, and the world's largest collection of vertebrate fossils.)